Plumbing device

ABSTRACT

A conduit block for replacing conventional piping under a sink, comprising at least a first liquid inlet conduit and a drainage conduit encased in a block; the first liquid conduit for connection to a faucet for pouring the liquid into the sink and the drainage conduit for connecting the drainage hole of the sink to a drainage pipe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing a plumbing device forfacilitating neat and compact plumbing of sinks and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sinks and washbasins typically have one or two water inlets, such as ahot water inlet and a cold-water inlet, and a drainage outlet (plughole) that connects to a drain. To these inlets and outlet are connectedconduits, typically copper of plastic piping. To prevent smells from thedrain coming back through the outlet, a U bend is formed in the conduitconnected to the drainage outlet, which acts as a trap. Solid matterwashed down the drainage outlet will get trapped in the U bend,occasionally blocking it. An aperture to the U bend is typicallyprovided, or the whole U bend may be unscrewed, and in this manner, suchblockages may be cleared.

The various conduits or pipe-work are unsightly, and both kitchen andbathroom sinks are sometimes fitted into cupboard units that screen theconduits from view. Typically a cupboard is situated under the sink, butbecause of the protruding pipe-work, its usage is limited, and such acupboard is often only suitable for storing bottles of cleaningmaterials and the like, which are typically positioned around thepipe-work.

The pipe-work of conventional ceramic bathroom washbasins is sometimeshidden by a ‘pedestal’, i.e. a ceramic leg. Such pedestals addadditional cost, and are somewhat prone to breakage. Furthermore, suchpedestal washbasins are somewhat old-fashioned.

Increasingly, glass, stainless steel and other “modern” lookingmaterials are used in designer sinks, which are usually fitted to thewall by some type of bracket. Here again, pipe-work thereunder issomewhat unsightly. Furthermore, such sinks are inherently unsuitablefor fixing to plasterboard walls and the like, since the weight thereoftends to pull out the fixing screws.

There is thus a need for an attractive replacement for under sinkpipe-work, and the present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing a conduit block forreplacing conventional piping under or behind a washing utensil,comprising at least a first liquid inlet conduit and a drainage conduitencased in a block; said first liquid supply conduit for connection to afaucet for pouring said liquid into said sink, and said drainage conduitconnecting a drainage hole in said sink to a drainage pipe.

The conduit block is typically substantially rectangular.

Typically and preferably, the conduit block drainage conduit includes aU shaped trap.

The conduit block will typically further comprise a second liquid supplyconduit.

In conventional domestic uses, the first liquid supply conduit is forsupplying water at a first temperature, and where provided, the secondliquid supply conduit is for supplying water at a second temperature.

The conduit block may be fabricated from a solid block having conduitstherethrough, typically by casting into a closed mold. The conduits maybe integrally molded into the block, or may be tooled out of said blockafter casting thereof, or, at least one of said conduits may be aconventional pipe encapsulated into said block by casting the blocktherearound.

At least one of said conduits is lined with a different material fromthe material from which said conduit block is cast.

The conduit block of the invention may be utilized with any of a widerange of washing utensils including inter alia, kitchen sinks, bathroomsinks, washbasins, emergency eye rinsing stations, laboratory sinks,washing machines and dishwashers.

One advantage that the conduit block of the invention has over prior artpipe-work is that all the conduits may be concealed within the wall onwhich the washing utensil is mounted. Indeed, the conduit block may haveceramic tiles affixed to the front face thereof.

Optionally and preferably, the conduit block includes a means, such as abracket, for supporting the sink thereby, allowing wall mountingthereof.

The conduit block may include a decorative front face, optionallyfabricated from a material selected from stainless steel, Formica, woodor ceramic, for example.

Typically, the conduit block further includes stopcocks at inlets to theliquid supply conduit(s).

In preferred embodiments, the conduit block includes an access port tothe U shaped trap. This may be an aperture having a stopper therein,where preferably; both aperture and stopper are threaded withinterlocking screw threads.

The conduit block will typically have an overall thickness of no morethan 15 cm, and preferably no more than 10 cm, with slim-line conduitblocks of 7.5 cm or even 6 cm being possible.

Furthermore, specific embodiments of the invention may includeadditional elements such as soap dispensers, drinking water conduits,soda-water conduits, filters, waste shredders, water softeners, mainstopcocks and manifolds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may becarried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressedthat the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, noattempt is made to show structural details of the invention in moredetail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of theinvention; the description taken with the drawings making apparent tothose skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may beembodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric projection of a prior art sink, showing the messof pipes thereunder.

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric projection of a conduit block of thepresent invention, situated under a sink.

FIG. 3 is a cross section through the conduit block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of a conduit block designed forinstalling under a kitchen sink for example, and including variousadditional features, specifically a soap dispenser, a drinking waterconduit with a filter and a waste shredder in the drainage channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is particularly directed to replacing orconcealing the pipe-work under sinks.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art washbasin 2 is shown havingunsightly pipe work therebeneath, including a hot water supply pipe 4connecting to the hot water tap or faucet 6, a cold water conduit 8connecting to the cold water tap or faucet 10 and a drainage pipe 12connected to the plug hole 14 of the sink 2. The drainage pipe istypically connected to a sewage main 18, and will preferably include a Ushaped bend or trap 16 that remains filled with water and preventsunpleasant odors from the sewage main 20 from being emitted throughplughole 14. Stopcocks or shutoff valves 20, 22 are usually provided inthe water supply pipes 4, 8, under the sink 2, enabling the water supplyto the taps 6, 10 to be cut off, so that the faucets (taps) 6, 10 can beserviced or replaced. Some sinks have only one tap 10 and provide waterat one temperature only, usually cold water. Also known, are mixer tapsthat provide hot or cold water, or water at any intermediatetemperature. The pipes 4, 8, 12 in general and the U shaped waste pipe12 in particular are unsightly, though may be hidden by a pedestal orwithin an under-sink cupboard. For maintenance purposes, particularly toaccess the trap 16, which is usually detachable, the pipe work isusually relatively exposed, and cannot be built into the wall 24 behindthe sink 2.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present invention a block, knownhenceforth hereinbelow as a conduit block 100 is provided, that servesas a replacement for the conventional piping under the sink 2 is shown.The conduit block 100 includes built in liquid conduits, at least afirst liquid inlet conduit 104 for providing a first liquid, usuallywater, and a drainage conduit 112. Usually a second liquid inlet conduit108 is provided, so that both hot and cold water may be supplied via theconduit block 100 to the sink 2. For convenience, neatness andpracticality, the conduit box 100 is typically substantially rectangularin shape. The first liquid inlet conduit 104 may be connected to a firsttap or faucet 6, say a hot water tap, and the second liquid inletconduit 108 may be connected to a second tap or faucet, say a cold watertap 10 for pouring cold water into the sink 2. Alternatively, andpreferably, where both hot and cold water are supplied, mixer taps maybe provided. The drainage conduit 112 of the conduit block 100 typicallyincludes a U shaped trap 116 and is connectable to the drainage hole 14of the sink 2. An aperture 130 is provided that goes through the frontface 128 of the U shaped trap 116. Into the aperture 130 a stopper 132is fitted, sealing same. By means of the aperture 130 or access port,the trap can be opened and cleaned of the sediment that typically getswashed down drainage hole 14 causing blockages. The aperture 130 andstopper 132 may usefully be threaded with interlocking screw threads,perhaps including a rubber gasket, thereby providing a watertight buteasily opened seal.

All connections to and from the conduit block 100 may be achieved usingstandard plumbing fittings and techniques. In preferred embodiments,shutoff valves 120, 122 are included in the conduit block at inlets intothe conduits therethrough.

Apart from providing water and different temperatures, it will beappreciated that where sink 2 is a kitchen sink, drinking water may beprovided via a drinking water conduit. Indeed, in restaurants orcommunal dining halls, for example, soda water may be provided, via asoda water supply pipe or conduit, feeding to a soda water tap.

Indeed, apart from under kitchen sinks, washbasins and the like, conduitblocks of the invention may be provided beneath any type of sinks,including bathroom sinks, emergency eye rinsing stations and laboratorysinks, for example. The sinks to which the conduit block is connectedmay be fabricated from any material, including ceramic, glass, compositeor stainless steel, for example. The conduit block itself is typicallyfabricated from a solid block perhaps, by being cast in a closed mold(investment casting). The conduits therethrough 104, 108, 112 may beintegrally molded therewith or tooled out therefrom. One or more of theconduits may be a conventional pipe encapsulated into the block bycasting the block therearound. Such a conventional pipe may be a copperor PVC pipe for example. Particularly in special applicationembodiments, such as conduit blocks used beneath laboratory sinks, theconduits may be fabricated or lined from different materials asnecessary.

Apart from hiding the typically unsightly mess of piping, the conduitblock will generally have an overall thickness of no more than 15 cm,and can be as little as 6 cm thick for standard domestic applicationssuch as kitchen or bathroom sinks. Consequently, the conduit block maybe concealed within a wall on which the sink is mounted. Indeed,preferably the conduit block includes some mounting means for directfixing of the sink thereupon, such as a bracket for example. Thus sinksmay be conveniently and securely mounted on plasterboard walls and thelike, hidden behind the ceramic tiles thereon. This is an especiallyattractive option for glass washbasins such as sometimes provided inclassy establishments.

Even where not built into a wall, the front face 128 of the conduitblock 100 of the invention may have a decorative front face, fabricatedfrom a material such as stainless steel, Formica, wood or a ceramic, orit may have real or artificial ceramic tiles affixed thereto, making iteven less intrusive.

Furthermore, various modifications are possible. Thus for attachment ofa dishwasher thereto, a branch pipe may be provided therein, connectedto an incoming water pipe, typically the cold water pipe. Similarly atributary drainage pipe for connecting a dishwasher thereto, feedinginto the drainage conduit 112 might be provided.

It will be appreciated that specific conduit blocks may include aplethora of additional features. By way of example, with reference toFIG. 4, a specific conduit block 100′ designed for fitting beneath akitchen sink is shown. In addition to hot and cold inlet pipes 104, 108and U shaped waste outlet pipes 112, the specific conduit block 100′further includes a soap reservoir 200 for affixing to a soap dispenserin sink surround, a drinking water conduit 210 with a filter 215thereupon, and a domestic waste shredder 220 at the outlet into thedrainage channel 116, for grinding domestic organic waste. A furtheradditional feature optionally provided (and not shown) that isparticularly useful for conduit blocks designed for use with domesticutilities such as washing machines and dishwashers, is a water softener.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the conduit block of thepresent invention may include a wide variety of standard plumbingcomponents that are often provided with regular piping, such as mainsstopcocks and manifolds for distributing liquid entering block in asingle inlet pipe to a plurality of outlet pipes, for connecting to aplurality of sinks and/or utilities, for example.

Thus persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well asvariations and modifications thereof, which would occur to personsskilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

In the claims, the word “comprise”, and variations thereof such as“comprises”, “comprising” and the like indicate that the componentslisted are included, but not generally to the exclusion of othercomponents.

1. A conduit block for replacing conventional piping under a sink,comprising at least a first liquid inlet conduit and a drainage conduitencased in a box that is substantially rectangular in shape; said firstliquid inlet conduit for connection to a faucet for pouring said liquidinto said sink, and said drainage conduit connecting drainage hole insaid sink to a drainage pipe, wherein all conduits entering and exitingsaid conduit block do so from above and below and front facing panel ofsaid conduit block is without conduits protruding therefrom. 2.(canceled)
 3. The conduit block of claim 1 wherein said drainage conduitincludes a U shaped trap.
 4. The conduit block of claim 1, furthercomprising a second liquid inlet conduit.
 5. The conduit block of claim1 wherein first inlet conduit is for supplying water at a firsttemperature.
 6. The conduit block of claim 5 wherein said second conduitis for supplying water at a second temperature.
 7. The conduit block ofclaim 1 being fabricated from a solid block having conduitstherethrough.
 8. The conduit block of claim 1 being fabricated bycasting into a closed mold.
 9. The conduit block of claim 1 wherein saidsink is selected from the group of kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks,washbasins, emergency eye rinsing stations, washing machines, dishwashers and laboratory sinks.
 10. The conduit block of claim 1 beingconcealed within a wall onto which said sink is mounted or in front ofwhich said sink is positioned.
 11. The conduit block of claim 10 havingceramic tiles affixed to front face thereof.
 12. The conduit block ofclaim 10 including a means for supporting said sink thereby.
 13. Theconduit block of claim 12 wherein said means includes a bracket.
 14. Theconduit block of claim 1, further including a decorative front face. 15.The conduit block of claim 14, wherein said decorative front face isfabricated from a material selected from stainless steel, Formica, woodand ceramic.
 16. The conduit block of claim 1, further including ashutoff valve to said first supply conduit within the conduit box. 17.The conduit block of claim 4 further including a shutoff valve at inletto said second supply conduit within the conduit box.
 18. The conduitblock of claim including an access port to said U shaped trap.
 19. Theconduit block of claim 18, the access port to said U shaped trap beingan aperture having a stopper therein.
 20. The conduit block of claim 19wherein said aperture and said stopper being threaded with interlockingscrew threads.
 21. The conduit block of claim 1 having an overallthickness of no more than 15 cm.
 22. The conduit block of claim 1 havingan overall thickness of no more than 10 cm.
 23. The conduit block ofclaim 1 having an overall thickness of no more than 7.5 cm.
 24. Theconduit block of claim 1 having an overall thickness of no more than 6cm.
 25. The conduit block of claim 1 further including additionalelements selected from the group of: soap dispensers, drinking waterconduits, soda-water conduits, filters, waste shredders and watersofteners.
 26. The conduit block of claim 8, having at least one of thefollowing limitations: (a) at least one of said conduits is integrallymolded into said block; (b) at least one of said conduits is tooled outof said block after casting thereof; (c) at least one of said conduitsis a conventional pipe encapsulated into said conduit block by castingsaid conduit block therearound; (d) at least one of said conduits islined with a different material from material from which said conduitblock is cast.